Priority Basketball

Priority Basketball

Mark Bartelstein

Priority Sports & Entertainment was founded in 1985, and in the 30+ years the agency has been in business, CEO Mark Bartelstein has earned a reputation for being innovative and forward thinking in his approach to representing professional athletes. The firm has established itself as an industry leader by developing core values of integrity, hard work, and a steadfast resolve to always put their clients first. Priority Sports has received consistent acclaim over the years by maintaining a company-wide entrepreneurial spirit that exists within each department – Basketball, Football, Marketing & PR, and the newly founded Coaches & Broadcasters division. This approach has laid the foundation in creating the culture throughout the history of Priority Sports & Entertainment and has led to constant and steady growth throughout the existence of the agency, from inception to today. The agency is widely regarded throughout the business and sports industries as the leading independently owned agency representing professional athletes and has consistently been ranked accordingly in countless national media outlets.

Based on his familiarity with the intricacies of the Collective Bargaining Agreements in both the NBA & the NFL, Mark has helped his clients secure many landmark contracts and is often asked to speak on his experience in these negotiations, as well as the journey that Priority Sports has taken to the top of the sports business world. Mark graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 1984. He and his wife Sheri have four children (Josh, Morgan, Courtney, and Kirby) and reside in Highland Park, Illinois.

Reggie Brown

Reggie Brown has been with Priority Sports for over 18 years. An NBPA-certified player-agent, Reggie's involvement in negotiations benefits from his many relationships throughout the NBA. Reggie also excels in talent evaluation and the NBA pre-draft process. He has earned a reputation for identifying future NBA players and recruiting potential Priority Sports clients. Reggie coached NCAA college basketball for six years, and is extremely talented in player development at all positions. He works individually with our players to strengthen their overall basketball skills. Reggie graduated from Mississippi Valley State with a Bachelor's degree in physical education and secondary education. Reggie also earned a Master's degree in pedagogy from South Dakota State University. He resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Andy Shiffman

Andy Shiffman joined Priority Sports after two seasons with the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team as a video coordinator and statistical strategist, before practicing as an attorney in Memphis. Andy also worked for the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. As Priority Sports’ Executive Vice President of Basketball Representation, Andy assists in the day-to-day management of both NBA and international clients, and utilizes his legal background in drafting and analyzing FIBA arbitration cases. An NBPA-certified player-agent, Andy also oversees the travel accommodations and draft workout scheduling for NBA draft prospects, is heavily involved with statistical analytics, the Draft, and Free Agency, and manages the placement of players throughout Europe, China, and Australia. Andy graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. He earned a JD from Marquette University Law School, specializing in sports law. Andy currently resides in downtown Chicago.

Zachary B. Kurtin

Before joining Priority Sports in June of 2012, Zach worked for six seasons in the Basketball Operations Department at the New Jersey Nets, from 2003 through 2009. Leveraged by his knowledge of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Kurtin was involved in the team’s Draft preparation, trade evaluation, player contract negotiation and salary cap management, helping guide the Nets to four consecutive playoff appearances during his tenure. He also served as the Nets’ Player Development representative, a role which sought to educate players on their decision-making processes and lifestyle choices away from the basketball court. An NBPA-certified player-agent, Zach received his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated in 2011 with a Master’s in Sports Business from New York University. He currently resides in downtown Chicago.

Kieran Piller

Kieran joined Priority Sports in November 2014. An NBPA certified player-agent, Kieran utilizes his basketball and legal background to research, analyze, and draft player contracts. He is involved in all aspects of client representation, including player evaluation, recruiting, NBA Draft preparation, and NBA free agency. Prior to joining Priority, he worked as a collegiate sports attorney for three years, representing colleges and universities, coaches, and student-athletes in NCAA infractions and eligibility cases. Kieran played basketball at the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a degree in American Studies and Economics in 2007. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 2010, and was subsequently admitted to the New York State Bar. He currently resides in Downtown Chicago.

Ross Aroyo

Ross Aroyo joined Priority Sports in September of 2015 after graduating from the University of Maryland where he majored in Marketing and Accounting. Ross collaborates with our Agents and Clients to provide video and graphics support across many different digital platforms and specializes in using film for scouting, marketing and recruiting efforts. Prior to joining Priority Sports, Ross worked for the University of Maryland Men's Basketball program as a Video Manager and then served as Director of Basketball Operations for a highly successful Under Armour Grassroots Basketball program out of New Jersey. Ross currently resides in the Lakeview area of Chicago.